Mount DPT graduates are known for their professionalism and compassion.

Mission and Philosophy

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program’s mission and philosophy grew from Mount St. Joseph University's liberal arts and sciences tradition. From the inaugural graduating class of 1999 to today, the University has been privileged to participate in the education and development of physical therapists who embody the seven Core Values as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association: accountability, altruism, compassion/caring, excellence, integrity, professional duty, and social responsibility.

Mission Statement
In keeping with the Mission of Mount St. Joseph University, the Department of Physical Therapy is committed to academic excellence in educating students for professional careers as physical therapists based upon a solid foundation of undergraduate liberal arts and sciences degrees. The faculty will prepare students with essential knowledge and skills, and instill in them the duties, responsibilities and professional standards necessary to function and grow as individuals and as health care professionals in a complex, dynamic, and diverse society.

Philosophy Statement
Physical therapy encompasses the application of scientific principles in the art of adapting or enhancing function and preventing dysfunction by utilizing physical measures, therapeutic exercises, and rehabilitative procedures. As in all health care fields, the scope of the profession is constantly changing in response to socioeconomic, cultural, and political influences as well as technological advances and research. The physical therapist must be compassionate and people-oriented with a strong desire to promote optimal quality of life while respecting the dignity of each person. Physical therapists must be culturally aware and able to respect individual values, beliefs, and behavioral differences that impact all aspects of patient and client management. Individuals entering the field of physical therapy must be well-educated with a sound liberal arts and sciences background, strong professional development, and must be self-motivated, goal-directed, lifelong learners.

Faculty members serve as educators, mentors, and role models in the professional learning process by designing and revising courses and educational experiences. Faculty guide students in developing critical thinking and clinical competence. Recognizing individual differences between students in learning styles, each faculty member works to design meaningful experiences and adjust teaching strategies to meet the needs of each student, whether in the classroom, laboratory, clinic or tutorial sessions. The faculty members recognize the rigor inherent in physical therapy education, and therefore, assume the responsibility of assisting student acclimatization to the professional education process.

Accreditation

The Physical Therapy program at Mount St. Joseph University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. The University established its Physical Therapy Program and accepted its first class of students in 1995, was granted accreditation in 1999, and re-accredited in 2005. Another successful 10-year reaccreditation was granted in November 2014.

Reporting of Student Outcomes
Congruent with Mount St. Joseph University and the DPT Program Mission Statements to provide students with the concepts, principles, and methods which will stimulate and nurture a lifelong commitment to professional obligations, social responsibilities, and personal growth, the DPT program exhibits an average graduation rate of 92.2% (2014-2016). DPT graduates have an ultimate pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Exam of 100%, and a first time pass rate of 90.4%. The percentage of students who graduated and sought employment who were successfully employed is 100%.